Rachel Star Withers runs a YouTube channel where she performs goofy stunts on camera and talks about her schizophrenia.

Since 2008, when the then 22-year-old revealed her diagnosis online, tens of thousands of people have seen her videos. Some of them have a psychotic disorder or mood disorders themselves, or know people who do.

They say her explanation about what a symptom like hallucinations feels like can be really helpful. So can Rachel’s advice on ways to cope with them, like getting a dog or a cat. If the animal doesn’t react to the hallucination, then it’s probably not real, she says. Continue reading →

The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario (SSO) is hosting a free community forum in Oakville next Thursday (March 31).

Titled, Strategies That Work: Building Balance, the forum is open to the public and will feature a variety of mental health experts and a panel discussion.

“We are excited to present this community forum to the community in Oakville,” Mary Alberti, CEO of SSO, said in a media release.

“Our goal at SSO is to reach as many people as we can in Ontario. We are proud to give people in the Oakville area the opportunity to learn new strategies for wellness in all areas of life.” Continue reading →